Barberrettes opens early

New barbershop caters to students and government workers with extended hours

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero (center) stands with Barberrettes owner Felix Campos (right) and his family and friends to cut the ribbon for the barbershop's grand opening.

Thursday, Sept. 1 — A brand new barbershop on South Washington Square is catering to early risers.

Barberrettes barbershop owner Felix Campos said his store’s extended hours, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, are designed to attract students and government workers who may not have any other time for a haircut.

“We cater to administration, state employees, fire, police and anyone on the go,” Campos said. “That’s why we open at 6 in the morning because we have students that need to get on the go and we’d like to help and assist them on their way.”

“This is becoming a great section of downtown,” Bernero said before the ribbon cutting. “This whole block has really come to life. I’m delighted to see right up to the edge that we’re going to have life and vitality.”

About 30 of Campos’ friends and family, as well as his employees, gathered in the newly renovated shop enjoying the flat screen TV and relaxing chairs in the shop’s theater in the back, the comfortable couch in the front and the tables of food in the middle for the grand opening reception.

While there are other hair places in the area, including Jude’s Barbershop at 120 S. Washington Square, and Kositchek’s Hair Salon at 109 N. Washington, Barberrettes separates itself as a “premiere” gentlemens barbershop, Campos said.

Three padded black barber chairs are set up in the shop separated by a half-wall glass partition where the three barbers can pamper clients. The shop also offers a fragrance room for those little finishing touches before customers head out to continue their day.

“Sitting here, being here takes a little bit away,” Campos said. “It’s much more comfortable. I think we’re going to hit every area that we want to.”

Campos got the idea for the shop from his fiance, Ruth Ann Jorgenson, who is one of the barberrettes. He decided to create a barbershop to feature female barbers and separate his shop from the rest.

Today’s grand opening came after three months of extensive renovations, including redoing the electrical wiring, redoing the walls and taking care of standing water in the basement.

Out of the other two nearby shops, Barberrettes opens the earliest at 6 a.m. Jude’s is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Kositchek’s is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Barberrette Mary Smith said Campos’ personality and enthusiasm for the shop creates a great atmosphere for both the employees and the clients.

“He’s just a really nice guy and he’s fun to work for,” she said. “You just feel totally welcome.”

Barberrettes offers haircuts for $17, but anyone with a business card can get a cut for $14 and students with an I.D. can get a cut for just $10, Campos said. He also plans on running weekly specials and hopes to hire additional barberrettes as the business gets off the ground. In addition to haircuts, the shop also does high/low lights, waxing and manicures.

Campos said it felt “amazing” to finally open his doors and welcome clients in.